103.9 KNZA Broadcast - Royal Valley at Holton - click here to listen (Girls | Boys) 

It was a pair of spirited Big 7 League and Jackson County games Tuesday night with both contests decided in the final quarter as Holton completed the sweep against Royal Valley.

GIRLS = Holton 45, Royal Valley 32

It was a back and forth first half with both teams playing aggressive man to man defense and providing full court pressure.  Royal Valley led 21-19 at halftime and went on an 8-0 run to lead 29-19 just a few minutes into the third quarter.  However, Tabor Barta knocked down a huge trey and Shay Tanking caught fire with 10 points points as Holton reeled off 20 straight points and their depth proved to be a difference in closing the game on a 26-3 run.  Tanking finished with 16 of her 20 points in the second half, but it was freshman, Saydee Tanking that kept Holton within striking distance in the first half with 11 of her 17 points as the sisters combined for 37 of Holton's 45 points. Holton (2-0) played 11 girls, while Royal Valley only had a couple players come off the bench following an injury to Emily Albright. 

Kiikto Thomas scored 14 Tamo Thomas added 9 as the sister combo was also leading the Panther offense.  Royal Valley (1-1) missed some easy baskets in the third quarter and got away from their offense while committing 9 of their 15 turnovers in the second half.  It was a big crowd, including much support for first-year Head Coach Kyle Porter of Royal Valley, who returned to coach against his alma-mater for the first time, in hopes of giving the Lady Panthers their first win against the Wildcats since 2002.  They will try again at home on January 30th.    

BOYS = Holton 47, Royal Valley 42

After scoring only eight points in the first half of their season opener, the Holton boys came out hot and jumped to a 20-9 advantage after one quarter.  The Wildcats maintained a 28-20 lead at halftime, taking advantage of a first-half suspension as the Panthers played with Big 7 star, Masen Spoonhunter.  Royal Valley outscored Holton in the final three quarters, but still trailed by six entering the final frame as Zane Moylan hit his fourth trifecta of the night in the final minute of the third stanza. 

The Panthers tied the game at 40 with two minutes remaining and again at 42 with 1:10 to go, but Mason Strader hit a tough driving basket to put Holton ahead for good 44-42 with :40 left and the Wildcats got free throws late from Mason Chanay and Parker Gilliland to seal the win.  Moylan had 18 points to lead Holton (1-1) and Chanay added 12 while Strader chipped in eight points and Trey Wright had five.  Masen Spoonhunter scored 14 in the second half after sitting the first 16 minutes as sophomore, Komesh Spoonhunter led Royal Valley (1-1) with 18 points. 

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Saydee Tanking and Zane Moylan of Holton